Highlights India vs Sri Lanka 2017, 2nd Test, Day 4: Visitors win by an innings and 53 runs

Fewest Tests to 50 catches for India:

26 – Ekanth Solkar 

39 – AJINKYA RAHANE*

42 – VVS Laxman

Virat Kohli (India captain): The way the wicket behaved when SL batted first, also seeing the way the pitch was getting worse, as well as the lead prompted us to enforce the follow-on. Haven’t been a big fan of enforcing follow-on on a breaking wicket. We go and bat again and put some runs on the board.

(On SL’s comeback) You expect teams to come out and play like that. You start going down as a team if you expect to dominate every session.You should look forward to tough situations to improve as cricketers. You need patience. We are very happy we went through a difficult phase as well.

(On Saha)He’s right up there with the world’s best. We could see his keeping today, and how agile he is. Lot of positives for us. I never knew that. It’s all about taking Indian cricket ahead.

Dinesh Chandimal, SL captain: To be honest, you can’t control the toss. We were outplayed in the first innings, with the bat and ball. Credit to them. They batted brilliantly and put us under pressure. But happy with the way we batted in the 2nd innings. Two knocks by Kusal and Dimuth are the two positives from the game and we take forward into the next game. Angelo cannot bowl at this moment and we cannot find the right balance. Asela Gunaratane’s absence has really cost us. He has been really good in the past 1 year and a half.

Ravindra Jadeja: First innings ball was not turning much, we were getting turn from the middle part of the wicket. Mendis played very well and played some brilliant shot and was trying to disturb us. As a team, we also played very good cricket. It has always been a challenge if a batsman is playing a sweep shot on a regular basis.

Ravindra Jadeja is the Man of the Match for his half-century in the Indian innings, as well as a five-wicket haul in the second Sri Lankan essay!

Most consecutive Test series wins for captains:

9 – Ricky Ponting

8 – VIRAT KOHLI*

7 – Steve Waugh

India become the first visiting team to win three Tests at Colombo (SSC).

Most overseas Test wins for Indian captains:

11 – Sourav Ganguly 

6 – MS Dhoni, VIRAT KOHLI*

5 – Rahul Dravid

After 116.5 overs,Sri Lanka 386 ( Rangana Herath 17)

Pradeep gets a leading edge off a carrom ball from Ashwin, who is into his 38th over. The Indians decide to review an unsuccessful lbw appeal in the third ball of the over, though it was pitching outside leg on this occasion. 

OUT! Pradeep top-edges the fifth ball of the 117th over towards mid-on, where Dhawan holds on to an easy chance as the hosts fail to bat the remainder of the session out! This is India’s eighth consecutive series win, and the first time they win by an innings in a Test on Sri Lankan soil!

Most consecutive Test series wins for teams:

9 – Australia (2005/06-2008)

8 – England (1884-1890)

8 – INDIA* (2015-Present)

Most Tests won by visiting teams in Sri Lanka:

8 – Pakistan, INDIA* 

7 – Australia 

4 – England, New Zealand

OUT! That’s it! India win by an innings and 53 runs, and clinch the series 2-0, as Pradeep lobs the fifth ball of the 117th over towards mid-on while looking to slog it towards the leg side! SL 386 all out! 

Pradeep c Dhawan b Ashwin 1(9)

After 116 overs,Sri Lanka 386/9 ( Rangana Herath 17 , Nuwan Pradeep 1)

Pandya into his 15th over. Gets his second wicket at the start of the over as Dickwella — the last recognised batsman at the crease — guides a full delivery straight into the hands of Rahane at gully. Nuwan Pradeep, who has been ruled out for a month due to injury, arrives at the crease. Bouncer called wide for height in the fifth delivery of the over. Pradeep collects a single off the next ball. Two off the over.

OUT! Second wicket for Pandya, as Dickwella steers a full delivery outside off straight to Rahane at gully to depart for 31. India now just one wicket away from completing an innings win! SL 384/9

Dickwella c Rahane b Pandya 31(56)

After 115 overs,Sri Lanka 384/8 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 31 , Rangana Herath 17)

Ashwin into his 37th over. Dickwella collects a double off a reverse-sweep in the third ball of the over, with Shami flicking the ball inside the rope to prevent the boundary. Takes a single in the last ball of the over to retain strike for the following over.

After 114 overs,Sri Lanka 381/8 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 28 , Rangana Herath 17)

Pandya into his 14th over. Off-cutter by Pandya in the fourth delivery of the over deceives Dickwella. Juse two runs scored in the over, both through singles, the second one collected by the Sri Lankan keeper as he keeps the strike for the following over.

After 113 overs,Sri Lanka 379/8 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 27 , Rangana Herath 16)

Ashwin continues from the other end in the 113th over. Herath sweeps the fifth delivery towards deep square-leg, where Jadeja lunges forward, attempting a catch, but fails to collect the tough chance. Just one run scored off the over.

After 112 overs,Sri Lanka 378/8 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 27 , Rangana Herath 15)

Pandya brought back into the attack in the 112th over. Dickwella lofts the first ball of the over towards the vacant deep midwicket region, getting his fourth boundary in the process. Two singles scored in the remainder of the over.

FOUR! Dickwella lofts the first ball of Pandya’s 13th over towards the vacant deep midwicket region! SL 376/8

After 111 overs,Sri Lanka 372/8 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 22 , Rangana Herath 14)

Ashwin into his 35th over. Dickwella comes down the track, and drives down the ground to collect his third boundary. Reverse-sweeps the next ball towards third man, collecting a couple of runs on that occasion. Three singles off the remainder of the over.

After 110 overs,Sri Lanka 363/8 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 14 , Rangana Herath 13)

Another quickfire over by Jadeja, with just one run coming off it — Dickwella scoring a single in the fifth delivery. Appeal for lbw in the last ball of the over, though there might have been a bit of an inside-edge.

FOUR! Pushed down the ground by Dickwella, who is producing yet another useful cameo at the moment! SL 367/8

This is the first time two Indian players have scored a fifty and taken a five-wicket haul in a same Test match – Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

After 109 overs,Sri Lanka 362/8 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 13 , Rangana Herath 13)

Ashwin bowls the 109th over, which turns out to be a big one for the hosts, as Herath collects three boundaries off it in a show of sweeps and reverse-sweeps! The two batsmen have decided to frustrate the Indians a little more before the inevitable defeat.

FOUR! This time reverse-swept by Herath, and this is turning out to be really frustrating for Ashwin! SL 362/8

FOUR! Whacked away by Herath towards the midwicket fence this time! Boy is he in good nick at the moment! SL 358/8

FOUR! Herath sweeps the third ball of the 109th over towards the long-leg boundary! SL 354/8

After 108 overs,Sri Lanka 349/8 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 12 , Rangana Herath 1)

Jadeja into his 38th over. Dickwella reverse-sweeps the first ball towards the point boundary, getting his second four in the process. The next four deliveries see the two batsmen reverse-sweeping away, though only one run comes off it.

FOUR! Reverse-swept by Dickwella off Jadeja at the start of the 108th over! Finds the point fence on this occasion. SL 348/8

After 107 overs,Sri Lanka 344/8 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 7 , Rangana Herath 1)

Ashwin brought back into the attack in place of Pandya, with Indian skipper Kohli now looking to wrap things up quickly with spin from both ends. Herath goes on a sweep-fest in this over, though he fails to connect on a single occasion. Maiden for Ashwin.

After 106 overs,Sri Lanka 344/8 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 7 , Rangana Herath 1)

Jadeja continues after the drinks break. De Silva gets a top-edge off a badly-executed sweep at the start of the over, with the ball landing between silly point and the bowler. Jadeja completes his five-wicket haul as de Silva gloves a back-of-length delivery to Rahane in the slips, bringing his cameo to an end. Just one run and a wicket off the over.

Most wickets for Ravindra Jadeja in a calendar year in Tests:

44 – 2017*

43 – 2016 

30 – 2013

Most 5-fors by Indian left-arm spinners in Tests:

14 – Bishen Bedi 

9 – RAVINDRA JADEJA*

8 – Vinoo Mankand

OUT! Superb catch by Rahane in the slips, and that is the end of Dhananjaya de Silva! The batsman pushed his bat forward to defend a back-of-length delivery from Jadeja, and ended up gloving it. Umpire Oxenford decides to review the catch, with ‘OUT’ as the soft signal, and the TV umpire decides its out as well. SL 343/8

Dhananjaya c Rahane b Jadeja 17(17)

IMO,@Wriddhipops should be serious contender for MoM. Excellent behind the stumps, got vital breakthrus when Lanka batsmen looking v secure

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 6, 2017

After 105 overs,Sri Lanka 343/7 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 7 , Dhananjaya de Silva 17)

Change of angle for Pandya, as he goes round the wicket to Dickwella in the 105th over. A full-pitched delivery in the third ball narrowly misses the leg stump, with Dickwella failing to connect in an attempted flick. Slower ball by Pandya in the fifth delivery, deceiving Dickwella completely. Maiden for Pandya, his second consecutive. The umpire calls for drinks at the end of this over.

After 104 overs,Sri Lanka 343/7 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 7 , Dhananjaya de Silva 17)
 

Dhananjaya de Silva moves to double figures in no time, getting a hat-trick of boundaries in the first three deliveries of Jadeja’s 36th over, bringing the deficit down to less than 100 in the process. 12 off the over, another expensive one by Jadeja.

FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries for de Silva! Paddle sweeps the third ball of the over, with the ball running away to the fine-leg fence! SL 343/7

FOUR! Swept away towards the backward square-leg fence by de Silva off Jadeja’s bowling! SL 335/7

FOUR! Punched away through the off-side by de Silva off Jadeja this time! Brave display by the No 9 batsman so far! SL 339/7

After 103 overs,Sri Lanka 331/7 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 7 , Dhananjaya de Silva 5)

Pandya collects a maiden in the 103rd over, his first in the 11 overs that he has bowled so far.

After 102 overs,Sri Lanka 331/7 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 7 , Dhananjaya de Silva 5)

Dhananjaya de Silva, the new batsman at the crease, gets off the mark with a powerful sweep that sends the ball travelling like a rocket towards the cow-corner boundary for a four. Two singles scored in the remainder of the over, with six coming off it.

FOUR! Swept away by new batsman Dhananjaya de Silva towards the cow-corner fence in the second ball of the 102nd over! SL 329/7

After 101 overs,Sri Lanka 325/7 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 6 , Dhananjaya de Silva 0)

Dickwella slices the first ball of the over towards the third man boundary, collecting the first boundary of his innings. Those are the only runs scored in the over, with four coming off it.

FOUR! Dickwella continues to attack despite the flurry of wickets, slicing the full delivery from Pandya outside off towards third man. SL 325/7

Saha really is the star of this innings. Terrific stumping to get rid of Lanka’s 7th wicket, Perera. Keeping to Jadeja on such a pitch is very tough and Saha has done superbly.

After 100 overs,Sri Lanka 321/7 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 2 , Dhananjaya de Silva 0)

End of the 100th over of the Sri Lankan innings, with Perera getting stumped off Jadeja’s bowling, perishing after shuffling down the ground and missing the ball in his slog. Just one run and a wicket off that over.

wriddhiman saha is such a reassuring presence behind the stumps. and makes invaluable contributions with the bat. ultimate team man #SLvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 6, 2017

OUT! Perera shuffles down the track, looking for a big hit, but the ball spins away from the batsman and results in his stumping! Fourth wicket for Jadeja! SL 321/7

Perera st Saha b Jadeja 4(10)

After 99 overs,Sri Lanka 320/6 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 1 , Dilruwan Perera 4)

Just one run off Pandya’s ninth over, with Dickwella collecting as single at the start of the over after guiding it towards backward point. Sharp bouncer by the all-rounder in the fifth delivery.

After 98 overs,Sri Lanka 319/6 ( Niroshan Dickwella (W) 0 , Dilruwan Perera 4)

Mathews gets a bottom-edge in the first ball of Jadeja’s 33rd over, with the ball flying wide of the point fielder and running away to the boundary. His vigil comes to an end two deliveries later as keeper Saha collects a brilliant catch off a top-edge by Mathews. Dilruwan Perera, the new man in, edges towards the slips, where the ball brushes past Kohli’s fingers before running away to the third man boundary.

What a fantastic Test Saha has had thus far. He has been absolutely brilliant behind the stumps on a pitch that is up and down and spinning across. That catch to dismiss Mathews edging a horizontal bat shot was magical.

FOUR! New batsman Dilruwan Perera edges the final ball of the 98th over, with the ball brushing past Kohli’s fingers in the slips before running away to the third man boundary. SL 319/6

OUT! Brilliant catch by Saha, as Mathews gets a top-edge off a back-of-length delivery that bounces higher than normal. Jadeja gets his third wicket as a result! SL 315/6

Mathews c Saha b Jadeja 36(66)

FOUR! Mathews gets a bottom-edge while looking for a drive, and guides it wide of the point fielder to get his third boundary as a result. SL 315/5

After 97 overs,Sri Lanka 311/5 ( Angelo Mathews 32 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 0)

Pandya into his eighth over. Mathews tucks an off-cutter in the second ball of the over, guiding it towards backward square-leg. Dickwella blocks the remainder of the over out, with Kohli bringing in a tight field around him.

Batsmen with most 140-plus scores while following on in Tests:

2 – Andy Flower 

2 – Gary Kirsten 

2 – Michael Vaughan

2 – DIMUTH KARUNARATNE*

Highest scores for Sri Lanka while following-on:

152 – Dimuth Karunaratne v New Zealand, Christchurch, 2014

143 – Asanka Gurusinha v Australia, Melbourne, 1995

141 – Dimuth Karunaratne v India, Colombo (SSC), 2017

After 96 overs,Sri Lanka 310/5 ( Angelo Mathews 31 , Niroshan Dickwella (W) 0)

Jadeja into his 32nd over. Karunaratne shuffles down the pitch in the second ball of the over, though he is squared up and fails to score. His stay at the crease finally comes to an end as he ends up gloving the fourth delivery over the keeper’s head, and getting caught by Rahane to depart for 141. That ends the 69-run stand for the sixth wicket, as Dickwella walks out to bat now. Just one run and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Karunaratne’s marathon knock finally comes to an end, as he gloves a Jadeja delivery that kicks up unexpectedly, ballooning the ball over the keeper’s head. Rahane moves to his right and collects a simple catch. Karunaratne’s unlucky to have missed out on a 150 by nine runs, and ins congratulated by the Indian fielders on his way back to the pavilion. SL 310/5

Karunaratne c Rahane b Jadeja 141(307)

After 95 overs, Sri Lanka 309/4 (Karunaratane 141, Mathews 30)

Pandya into his second over of the day. Karunaratne collects another single, as he maintains a steady approach at the moment. Appeal for lbw in the fifth delivery, although that looked like it was missing leg by a distance. Mathews keeps the strike for the following over with a single off the last ball. Two off the over.

After 94 overs, Sri Lanka 307/4 (Karunaratane 140, Mathews 29)

Jadeja bowls the 94th over, with Karunaratne collecting a single in the fourth delivery in what is the only run scored in this over.

After 93 overs, Sri Lanka 306/4 (Karunaratane 139, Mathews 29)

Pandya brought into the attack from the other end. Karunaratne guides a full-pitched delivery measuring 140 clicks towards long-leg, collecting a single. Just one off the over.

After 92 overs, Sri Lanka 305/4 (Karunaratane 138, Mathews 29)

Jadeja bowls the 92nd over, the first of the second session of Day 4. Karunaratne and Mathews exchange singles at the start of the over. Karuna keeps the strike for the following over with a single off the last ball.

The players are back after lunch, and it is Jadeja who will be bowling the first over of the session.

If these 2 get through that window of 25 overs, they can give a few worries for the Indian team. 20-25 overs.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) August 6, 2017

Mixed session this one turned out to be. Just when it seemed as if the Indians were starting to pull things back in their favour, with Ashwin and Jadeja helping themselves to a wicket each, Karunaratne and Mathews bring the hosts back on their feet with a solid partnership, worth 61 at the end of the session. Let’s see if the duo bat responsibly enough to take the match into the fifth day.

This is the first ever instance of both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja conceding 100-plus runs in opposition’s second innings.

A good intense 1st session for both teams. Karunaratne has battled long and hard to keep bowlers out. He has ridden his luck but deserved the hundred. Lanka score of 302 For 4 is excellent work. India too will be happy to have got 2 wickets. Better catching would had fetched another couple of wickets. Another intense second session in offing.

Ball not coming on. Pitch Way too slow and low. Bowlers need to be patient and wait for batsman to make mistakes and fielders to latch on to them. Colombo’s heat and humidity a factor for bowlers

After 91 overs, Sri Lanka 302/4 (Karunaratane 136, Mathews 28)

Ashwin brought back in the 91st over. Mathews sets off for a quick single in the second ball of the over after coming down the track. Karunaratne edges to the slips in the third delivery, with the ball travelling wide of Rahane on that occasion. Two off the over, and the umpire flicks the bails off that signals lunch on Day 4.

After 90 overs, Sri Lanka 300/4 (Karunaratane 135, Mathews 27)

Jadeja into his 29th over. Mathews guides the fourth delivery towards backward square-leg, collecting a single that brings up the 300 for the hosts.

Mathews collects a single in the fourth ball of the 90th over, bringing up the 300 for the hosts.

After 89 overs, Sri Lanka 299/4 (Karunaratane 135, Mathews 26)

Umesh continues from the other end, and it looks like Kohli will stick to the pace-spin combo for the remainder of the session. Karunaratne and Mathews rotate the strike between themselves in this over, getting five singles.

After 88 overs, Sri Lanka 294/4 (Karunaratane 133, Mathews 23)

Jadeja returns to the attack in the 88th over, and collects his fifth maiden as Karunaratne decides to maintain a steady approach in this over. Less than 10 minutes to go for lunch.

After 87 overs, Sri Lanka 294/4 (Karunaratane 133, Mathews 23)

Yadav bowls the 87th over of the innings. Karunaratne and Mathews collect singles in the fourth and fifth delivery respectively. Mathews edges the last ball towards the slips, where it falls short of Rahane.

Umesh Yadav and Md.Shami are asking all the right questions with the second new ball. Beating the bat on occasions. But Karunaratne and Mathews batting pretty solidly. They’ve already added 50 runs for the 5th wicket. India need to get rid of both pretty quickly.

After 86 overs, Sri Lanka 292/4 (Karunaratane 132, Mathews 22)

Karunaratne leans forward in his drive towards the extra-cover fence in the third ball of the over, and brings up the 50-stand for the fifth wicket with Mathews with a single in the following delivery. Keeps the strike for the next over with a single off the last ball. The pair have brought stability back into the Sri Lankan innings with some resilient batting after the quick fall of wickets earlier.

FIFTY partnership up between Karunaratne and Mathews in 71 deliveries! The former brings up the milestone with a single towards deep point off a cut. SL 291/4

FOUR! Karunaratne leans into his drive in the third ball of the 87th over, dispatching it towards the extra-cover boundary. SL 290/4

After 85 overs, Sri Lanka 286/4 (Karunaratane 127, Mathews 21)

Yadav bowls the 85th over. Mathews pushes the first ball towards the square-leg region, collecting a couple of runs in the process. Big appeal for lbw in the fifth delivery of the over, though umpire Tucker isn’t interested, with height being the main concern.

After 84 overs, Sri Lanka 284/4 (Karunaratane 127, Mathews 19)

So it’s pace from both ends, with Shami getting the ball from the other end. Karunaratne cuts the fifth delivery of the over towards sweeper point, and gets enough time to return for a second.

After 83 overs, Sri Lanka 282/4 (Karunaratane 125, Mathews 19)

Umesh brought back into the attack in the 83rd over, with Kohli deciding to give the pacer a shot at the brand new cherry. Karunaratne tucks the last delivery of the over towards long-leg to prevent the ovder from going as a maiden.

After 82 overs, Sri Lanka 281/4 (Karunaratane 124, Mathews 19)

Jadeja bowling from the other end with the second new ball. Both Mathews and Karunaratne get singles by guiding the ball towards backward square-leg, with two runs coming off the over.

After 81 overs, Sri Lanka 279/4 (Karunaratane 123, Mathews 18)

The Indians decide to take the second new ball, though they allow Ashwin to make first use of it. The offie though, leaks eight off the over. Karunaratne smacks the second delivery of the over towards the midwicket fence, while the last delivery of the over strays down the batsman’s leg side, brushes his pad before running away to the fine-leg fence for four leg byes.

FOUR! Karunaratne lunges forward, and pushes the second ball of the 81st over towards the midwicket fence! SL 275/4

After 80 overs, Sri Lanka 271/4 (Karunaratane 119, Mathews 18)

Mathews hammers a four and a six at the start of the 80th over, bowled by Jadeja, making it known that he will not stay quiet for long. Smashes both deliveries down the ground. Dots in the remainder of the over, with 10 coming off it. The second new ball is available now for the Indians.

SIX! Mathews goes inside-out in the following delivery, and clears the long-off boundary in the process to collect his first six! Quite the counterattack from Matehws at the moment!  SL 271/4

FOUR! Hammered down the ground by Mathews off Jadeja at the start of the 80th over. No fielders in the deep down the ground to stop that. SL 265/4

After 79 overs, Sri Lanka 261/4 (Karunaratane 119, Mathews 8)

Karunaratne and Mathews stick to rotating the strike between themselves in the 79th over, bowled by Ashwin. Just one more over to go after this before the second new ball becomes available.

After 78 overs, Sri Lanka 257/4 (Karunaratane 117, Mathews 6)

Karunaratne collects a single at the start of the over, continuing his steady approach. Mathews blocks the next four deliveries, before guiding the last ball towards the midwicket boundary to collect his first boundary.

FOUR! Mathews slog-sweeps the final ball of the 78th over towards the midwicket boundary, and collects his first boundary in the process! SL 257/4

After 77 overs, Sri Lanka 252/4 (Karunaratane 116, Mathews 2)

A lot of chirping and cheering around the stump mic. " Come on Ash!", “Lovely Ash”, “Come on Boys!”. First three balls goes for 3 singles and the last three end as dots. Mathews has looked a little scratchy so far.

Despite 3 dropped catches India have done well to dismiss 2 batsmen in the first hour of play. The effect of the roller would have been batsman friendly in the first hour and India broke through in that time to retain pressure on Lanka

After 76 overs, Sri Lanka 249/4 (Karunaratane 114, Mathews 1)

Karunaratne goes for a reverse-sweep in the third ball of the over, but an under-edge nearly results in him playing onto his stumps. Karunaratne keeps the strike for the next over with a single off the last ball. The umpire calls for drinks at the end of the over.

After 75 overs, Sri Lanka 248/4 (Karunaratane 113, Mathews 1)

Karunaratne sweeps the second delivery of Ashwin’s 28th over — a full-toss on this occasion — and finds the midwicket boundary in the process. Three singles exchanged in the over thereafter, with Mathews getting off the mark in the process.

FOUR! Karunaratne keeps the runs flowing from one end though, sweeping the first ball of the over towards the midwicket boundary! SL 245/4

After 74 overs, Sri Lanka 241/4 (Karunaratane 107, Mathews 0)

Superb over by Jadeja in the 74th over, getting the outside edge of Chandimal in the penultimate delivery of the over to get caught by one of the best slip fielders in Rahane. Just one run and a wicket off the over.

OUT! The wickets are starting to tumble for the Sri Lankans now, as captain Dinesh Chandimal edges a Jadeja delivery to Rahane in the slips to depart for 2. SL 241/4

Chandimal c Rahane b Jadeja 2(6)

After 57 deliveries of sensible batting Pushpakumara does unthinkable — attempts reverse on drive against Ashwin to be bowled. Terrible shit. As number 10 batsman  that was the limit of his patience

After 73 overs, Sri Lanka 240/3 (Karunaratane 106, Chandimal 2)

Pushpakumara plays a shot as strange as it gets, baffling the on-air commentators, especially Russell Arnold! A reverse on-drive is perhaps the best way to explain it, and it resulted in him missing the line of the delivery completely. Skipper Chandimal is the new batsman at the crease, and gets off the mark with a double courtesy an edge. Three runs and a wicket off the over.

Ravichandran Ashwin becomes the first spinner to take 100 wickets while opening the bowling in Tests.

OUT! What exactly was that by Pushpakumara? Was probably going for a reverse-sweep, but ended up getting his leg-stump rattled while trying to play an on-drive. SL 238/3

Pushpakumara b Ashwin 16(58)

After 72 overs, Sri Lanka 237/2 (Karunaratane 105, Pushpakumara 16)

Just one run off the over, with Karunaratne setting off for a single in the seonc delivery of the over with a sweep.

After 71 overs, Sri Lanka 236/2 (Karunaratane 104, Pushpakumara 16)

Couple of appeals in Ashwin’s second over of the day; the first one’s for a catch at short-leg against Pushpakumara, though this one deflected off his pads. Another appeal in the following delivery, with the same batsman in question, this time taken by the leg-slip fielder, but once again off the pads. Just one off the over.

After 70 overs, Sri Lanka 235/2 (Karunaratane 103, Pushpakumara 16)

Jadeja continues from the other end. Karunaratne collects a single in the second delivery of the over, guiding it towards the leg side. Pushpakumara sweeps the fourth delivery towards the fine-leg fence.

FOUR! The nightwatchman is packing a punch right now! Sweeps the fourth ball of the over towards the fine-leg fence to collect his third boundary. SL 235/2

After 69 overs, Sri Lanka 230/2 (Karunaratane 102, Pushpakumara 12)

Ashwin comes into the attack in the 69th over, coming in place of Shami. Looks like Kohli decided to go for spin from both ends earlier than expected today. Three singles scored in the over, with Pushpakumara trying to play an ambitious shot or two.

This is the first time that two SL batsmen have scored a century in a same innings while following on.

After 68 overs, Sri Lanka 227/2 (Karunaratane 100, Pushpakumara 11)

Another quick over by Jadeja, one that can be described as blink-and-you-miss. The left-arm spinner starts off with a near-unplayable delivery that kicks up from  good full length. Jaddu collects his fourth maiden, as Pushpakumara sees the over off.

After 67 overs, Sri Lanka 227/2 (Karunaratane 100, Pushpakumara 11)

Karunaratne remains defensive for the first five deliveries, showing signs of nerves that a batsman usually gets in the 90s, before pushing a fuller delivery from Shami down the ground to bring up his century in style. What a knock this has been from him so far!

Asian batsmen with most centuries while following on in Tests:

2 – Vijay Hazare 

2 – VVS Laxman 

2 – DIMUTH KARUNARATNE*

India’s Close in catching is not an inspiration for sure. Kohli at gully and Rahul at short leg haven’t looked the part. Rahul dropped A regulation catch at short leg of Karunaratne off Jadeja. Kohli continues to struggle with catches low to his left at slips.

FOUR! What a way for Karunaratne to bring up his sixth Test century, and his first against India! Takes 224 deliveries to get to the milestone! SL 227/2

After 66 overs, Sri Lanka 223/2 (Karunaratane 96, Pushpakumara 11)

Karunaratne attempts a sweep in the second ball of the over, but gets a top-edge that lands just short of the slip fielder. Another drop in the following delivery, this time Karunaratne edging it to Rahul at forward short-leg. Too many lives being offered by the Indians this morning. Just one off the over.

After 65 overs, Sri Lanka 222/2 (Karunaratane 95, Pushpakumara 11)

Much better over for the Indians, with Shami conceding just a single off the 65tgh over. Karunaratne guides an off-cutter from Shami in the fourth delivery of the over towards the leg side for a single.

After 64 overs, Sri Lanka 221/2 (Karunaratane 94, Pushpakumara 11)

Pushpakumara shows he’s more than just a nightwatchman as he whacks boundaries off the last two deliveries of the over — guiding the first one through the slips before hammering the second one down the ground. 10 off the over, including two singles.

FOUR! First boundary of the day. Pushpakumara edges to the slips, where it lands between Kohli and Rahane and runs away to the third man boundary. SL 217/2

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Pushpakumara to end the over with, as he lofts the last ball down the ground! SL 221/2

Jadeja needs to get his line of attack sorted out. Turning viciously from outside off is of little use. Unless he is setting up the batsman for the arm ball. We’ll see.

After 63 overs, Sri Lanka 211/2 (Karunaratane 93, Pushpakumara 2)

Shami bowls the 63rd over. Karunaratne collects a single at the start of the over, the first run scored in the day’s play. Pushpakumara then guides one down the leg side for a single. Just two off the over.

After 62 overs, Sri Lanka 209/2 (Karunaratane 92, Pushpakumara 2)

Jadeja at it from the other end. Pushpakumara drives the second ball of the over towards the off side, but it is cut off by the fielder posted at fine-leg, Back-to-back maidens for the Indians at the start of the fourth day.

After 61 overs, Sri Lanka 209/2 (Karunaratane 92, Pushpakumara 2)

Shami starts the day with a probbing line right away. Karunaratane is lured into hang his bat out and the ball has straightened a couple of times just whizzing past the outside edge. Karunaratne lets the fifth ball alone and defends the last ball on the offside. Perfect start for Shami.

The new ball is due in 20 overs time. That should be enough time for all the four main bowlers to have another crack at getting wickets early in the morning. The obvious wicket would be of nightwatchman Pshpakumara. But Karunaratne, so close to an epic century must also be feeling the jitters. Having a crack at him before he gets those 8 runs and settles down would be ideal. India have a lot to hope for this morning.

Sri Lanka’s batsmen would have taken heart from Mendis and Karunaratne’s 191-run second wicket stand. They would be hoping to emulate that and leave this Test on a high. The dangerous Angelo Mathews is yet to bat. India will not breathe easy till they get rid of him. He can get the others to bat around him and hence his scalp would be high on India’s wish-list

Mohammad Shami from round the wicket to get things underway on Day 4. He will bowing to Karunaratne who is 8 runs away from his century. Interesting first hour of play awaits.

Hello and a very warm welcome to Firstpost’s live blog of Day 4 of 2nd Test between India and Sri Lanka. The Islanders dished out a gutsy, valiant and competitive performance in the second innings of the match to take the game into the penultimate day of the Test and bridge the gap from 439 runs to 230 now.

Sri Lanka will resume 2nd innings at 209/2 with Karunaratne batting on overnight score of 92 and giving him company is nightwatchman Malinda Pushpakumara.

Indian are outright favourites going into the day, they will be looking to make light of the work by trying to wrap up things inside two sessions. The bowlers will be assisted by the deteriorating pitch and the bowlers task would be to ensure India doesn’t bat again.

Lankans would draw inspiration from Kusal Mendis and Karunaratne’s 2nd wicket stand and would be aiming to bat a couple of session and then aim for scaling down the 230 runs deficit.

We will be brining you all the coverage here at the liveblog. Stay tuned!